Ashley Kirby, who has spent the last 12 years at Smith Elementary as a teacher and instructional facilitator, has been named assistant principal at Tyson Elementary. She replaces Kimberly Crumby who has been selected as principal at Westwood Elementary.

“I am very excited to be supporting the amazing things that are happening at Tyson Elementary,” Kirby said. “I am grateful to Dr. (Superintendent Jim) Rollins, the administrative leadership team, the school board and Tyson principal Shelly Poage for this awesome opportunity.

“I have heard great things about the staff at Tyson Elementary and I can’t wait to build relationships with the staff, parents and students there. At the same time I want to thank Kim Simco, the principal, and Tonya Woods, the assistant principal at Smith for serving as great examples of strong leadership and helping me grow.”

Kirby is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where she earned her bachelor’s degree and her master’s in teaching. She earned a master’s in Educational Leadership from Arkansas Tech. She is a Nationally Board Certified teacher in early childhood literacy.

After a year as teaching intern at Walker Elementary, she was one of the first hired as a teacher at Smith when Simco became principal. She taught third grade for seven years before becoming an instructional facilitator. In her first two years in that capacity she split time between Smith and Walker before spending the last three years exclusively at Smith.

During a year in which Woods was absent from Smith in order to fill in as interim principal at Bayyari, Kirby served as interim assistant principal at Smith.

“Ashley Kirby has done significant work at Smith Elementary and proved her ability as an administrator during her year as interim assistant principal,” Rollins said. “She has demonstrated the qualities we are looking for. She is very bright and we are elated to have her as assistant principal at Tyson Elementary.”

Poage added, “I’m looking forward to working with Mrs. Kirby. One of the reasons she was such a strong candidate was the experience she had as interim assistant principal at Smith Elementary. She has a growth mindset and will help us continue to provide innovation and personalization in learning at Tyson Elementary.”

Springdale School District

Ashley Kirby Named Assistant Principal at Tyson Elementary